lascivious

[ luh-siv-ee-uhs ]

adjective

1. inclined to lustfulness; wanton; lewd:

   a lascivious, girl-chasing old man.

2. arousing sexual desire:

   lascivious photographs.

3. indicating sexual interest or expressive of lust or lewdness:

   a lascivious gesture.

lascivious

/ ləˈsɪvɪəs /

adjective

1. lustful; lecherous
2. exciting sexual desire

Derived Forms

• lasˈciviousness, noun
• lasˈciviously, adverb

Other Words From

• las·civ·i·ous·ly adverb
• las·civ·i·ous·ness noun
• o·ver·las·civ·i·ous adjective
• o·ver·las·civ·i·ous·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of lascivious¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin lascīvi(a) “playfulness, wantonness” ( lascīv(us) “playful, wanton” + -ia noun suffix) + -ous; -ia

Word History and Origins

Origin of lascivious¹

C15: from Late Latin lascīviōsus, from Latin lascīvia wantonness, from lascīvus

Example Sentences

Conklin was arrested Wednesday morning on three felony charges: lewd or lascivious acts on a child younger than 14, continual sexual abuse of multiple victims and discouraging a witness or victim from reporting to police.

From Los Angeles Times

Forty years after his death, Truman Capote continues to draw audiences in for another lascivious story and another dramatic portrayal in ‘Feud: Capote vs. the Swans.’

From Los Angeles Times

They also accused Pisciotta of "lascivious, unhinged conduct", claiming that she "consistently used sexual coercion" to demand money and material items, including designer handbags and a Lamborghini car.

From BBC

In Kentucky, Higdon told me, a man could divorce his wife for “lascivious behavior.”

From Los Angeles Times

There’s the Jezebel, ruled by a lascivious spirit and lacking a moral compass or self-control.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• indecent
• lewd
• pornographic
• prurient
• salacious
• vulgar